Lord Chadwick’s voice echoed up the stairwell. “No one told me that. By God, we’re off to London on the day after, then. We’ll not be tied up with them before September, when there is no help for it. At least then I’ll be up north, safe out of reach.” The news was welcomed with general relief by the entire family, saving only Mrs. Latchmore, denied of her chance to triumph over the neighborhood in having brought about the match. She had planned a series of select parties meant to show off the newly affianced couple before the journey to London. Kitty was secretly amused at Lord Chadwick’s selfishness, but grateful for its beneficent effect. She hid her reaction as well as her growing concern over Clarissa’s somber gaze when she thought nobody was looking. Delicacy forbade teasing hints or coy remarks or penetrating questions. Kitty had learned as much from observing Lucretia tormenting other girls in the parish with such teasing. But at the same time, she reasoned, it was not acting the part of a friend to pretend not to notice how unhappy Clarissa was.
